Over the past four years, 17 suspected cases of measles were reported, all of which tested negative upon laboratory analysis.
Despite this encouraging trend, concerns loom over potential outbreaks in the European Union. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns of an impending increase in measles cases due to sub-optimal vaccination coverage.
Both the ECDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) stress the importance of achieving vaccination coverage rates exceeding 95% with two doses to effectively combat measles. In Luxembourg, vaccination coverage stands at an estimated 94%, with two doses administered to young children — one at 12 months and the other between 15 and 23 months.
Infants and children under five remain particularly vulnerable to measles and its potentially severe complications, including irreversible neurological issues.
Minister of Health Martine Deprez provided these insights in response to a parliamentary question from MP Mars Di Bartolomeo of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), who expressed concerns about a potential resurgence of measles cases.
